I get asked about Apple more than all the other companies that you can invest in - combined. It seems Apple stands for investing right now and with good reason. It possesses a fortress like balance sheet containing a veritable horde of 204 billion dollars in cash. It sells the premier consumer staple electronics, led by the industry standard iPhone. What isn't to love about this stock - except the vicious sell-off it is currently suffering (like the broader market)

Everyone wants to know when to buy Apple. Well - first off, don't try to time the market. Buy quality companies a bit at a time on a regular basis and you'll be better off than if you attempt to game the system and 'hit a home run'. That said - Apple is a tough stock in that it experiences wild swings up and down - so it isn't a 'stable' stock like MCD that trades in a narrow range and can be owned simply for the dividend.

Tonight I've included two charts to answer the question on 'when' to buy Apple. The first is the six month chart - and it shows you can buy Apple here - just don't expect much of an immediate return. Apple might trade sideways to slightly down for a bit of time before rebounding.

This second chart is the 5 year - and includes the last time Apple sold off. You can see from the uptrend white line - that Apple tends to sell-off almost as much below the line as it gets above it on the upside. As a buyer - purchase stock below the white line and you'll be doing well. The stock trades right now below that trend line and I view it as a safe investment - Only at 12 P/E and that balance sheet to protect you. However, for those paying close attention, it appears Apple has a little more room to the downside to match the last sell-off in this current one - target price of 92 for that equilibrium. Don't hold all your powder for one big 'buy' at that level - stage into the stock.